Death Valley National Park: 7 Things to Know Before You Go

Everything YOU need to know to visit Death Valley National Park. Despite it's morbid name, Death Valley is actually a great place to visit. Death Valley is the largest national park south of Alaska at over 3 million acres. Death Valley is home to North America's driest and hottest spot (with fewer than two inches of rain per year and a record high of 134°F). Death Valley also has the lowest elevation on the continent—282 feet below sea level. But yet there's also mountain peaks at 11,000 feet that get snow.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
00:00 Things to Know About Death Valley
00:22 - 1 - Death Valley Overview
01:28 - 2 - When to go to Death Valley
02:15 - 3 - Getting in to Death Valley
03:29 - 4 - Getting Around Death Valley
05:00 - 5 - Things to do in Death Valley
12:16 - 6 - What to eat in Death Valley
15:02 - 7 - Where to stay in Death Valley

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[NothingMaster]

Great presentation, Chris. Also, for those of us who are into stargazing, Death Valley at night is nothing short of hollowed grounds; no city lights to interfere with the stunning ocean of stars, and the majesty of the Universe. Sometimes the Earth and the sky literally become one and you feel like you’re floating in a different dimension altogether; especially if the experience is augmented by one’s favorite music, as well. ✨ ✨✨
P.S. Love the continued adventures and the mischievous antics of our Traveling Princess, too. 🥰

[geezerpleasers_OG]

Do NOT go to Death valley from Las Vegas by way of Beatty. That's the long way and it brings you into the park in the middle of nowhere. Get on Route 160, a/k/a Blue Diamond Road. Take it to and through Pahrump, then head west on Bell Vista Road (well marked as the route to Death Valley.) It becomes State Line Road when you cross into CA. Take that and follow the signs for a short zigzag onto CA Route 190 which takes you straight to the Furnace Creek Visitor Center, going past the turnoffs for Dante's View and Zabriskie Point along the way.

[geezerpleasers_OG]

A few more notes.

1) You can get some spectacular photos at the Mesquite sand dunes at sunrise and sunset because of the interplay of light and shadow, plus the colors in the sky. However, sunrise is 1, 000 times better. At sunset, you're looking at an expanse of footprints all over, everywhere. If there is any kind of wind at all overnight, the sand will look pristine at sunrise. If you are lucky enough to catch a sunrise with clouds in the sky catching the colors, you've hit the jackpot.

2) While parking is better at the Golden Canyon trailhead, the small parking lot fills up fast and early. Plan on parking along the side of the road.

3) While the slot canyon trails are pretty straightforward, don't be afraid to explore the little narrow side trails. I've found some spectacular views by exploring the side trails that go uphill from the Golden Canyon Trail. Don't worry, you're not heading into a spider web of trails. You won't get lost, and it's easy to find your way back to the main trail.

4) If you have an app like Sygic or TomTom Go, just download the maps for offline viewing, and you'll be fine. Your phone's GPS function works independently of your data connection, so you don't need a signal at all. When I got my new phone, I kept the previous one to use as a combined GPS unit and mp3 player. I use it all the time with my hiking map apps and my car navigation apps.

5) The lodging at Stovepipe Wells is much cheaper than at Furnace Creek. Just know that it's straight out of the 1930s. No frills, old, small and cramped, and purely functional as a place to sleep. The food at the bar and grill is pretty decent burger and pizza fare. The breakfast is not bad as hotel breakfasts go.

6) Essential to know if you're tent camping: Scorpions are attracted to light. REALLY attracted to light.

[davidhutchinson]

I was there in the summer of 93 with my Marine Corps unit. We built a pistol range for the DEA and Dept of the Interior. I can tell you, it was beyond hot. Rocks were splitting open because of the heat. I have never felt heat like that before or since. I believe the temp reached about 130 F

[F_Morimoto_C]

Chris, your videos are always helpful and inspirational. Thanks to you, my husband and I are going to start planning to go to the Death Valley now. Can’t wait to be there!

[hr]

What is it about this video that makes it so pleasant and enjoyable to watch? So informative. One of my favorites.

[jwmsvilla]

Yours are ALWAYS informative, WAY more informative I can clearly say and much more entertaining then others (it’s the princess factor)!! I have seen a number of yours and the take away for me is I write down lots of important details which I refer to while there! Well done and great editing work also!! Thanks a lot and happy trails to you both!!

[geetkaranam]

Thank you for such a summarized video. I had planned to spend 2 hours trying to plan out our trip for next month & your video got recommended, it's perfect!

Love the travelling spirit in your daughter, she enjoys it!

~Geet

[colleenh]

Great video ! Looks like an amazing place to visit. Thanks for all your useful info. The Traveling Princess is a natural on camera!

[kristicolobella]

Love Death Valley. Scotty Castle is my favorite place to visit. It’s history and tour was so much fun.

[photoholic]

thanks for your informative video and its so helpful that you included prices of food and other things. You made planning my trip much easier. Nicely done!!

[ash-jyqm]

Thanks!! For mentioning furnace creek your videos are super educational and the traveling princess is funny.

[PhotowalksTV]

Great video, one of your best. The scenery looks amazing!

[mullerrich]

Thanks for including the Traveling Princes.
I took a van tour in late spring. The air conditioning was essential. The early November tour was much, better.

[LillyKC]

Excellent information. And those tiny yellow tennies for the Princess are amazing! Cheers!

[normaiwahashi]

AWESOME VIDEO! Thanks Mr. Raney and the Travelling Princess! 🐼💛

[Geoduck.]

Chris, Traveling Princess is too cute! Death Valley is on my to-do list this year thanks for covering it.

[debbiel]

Thank you Chris, Great video! We Love The Traveling Princess!!

[fairysiddiqui]

OMG, I missed the live stream but watching it now you're amazing ❤️👍but I am scared to go there 😃